Grant Oversight

Those airport sponsors that have adequate or even robust grant oversight procedures are identified by FAA and NHDOT as nominal risk; while those with less grant oversight procedures are identified as moderate- or elevated-risk airport sponsors. The risk level is associated with the amount of grant documentation required to be supplied by the airport sponsor to FAA and NHDOT as well as the amount of oversight or supervision required of FAA or NHDOT during these projects. The goal is to help airport sponsor to reach the nominal risk level. To this end, NHDOT requires airport block grant airport sponsors to complete an AIP Grant Oversight Risk Assessment Sponsor Certification Checklist at least once every three (3) years.

The AIP Grant Oversight Risk Assessment Sponsor Certification Checklist is broken down into two components: Section 1 deals with the airport's policies and procedures, and Section 2 deals with how your airport communicates and stores grant documentation. The checklist only asks that checks be placed in the appropriate boxes, but airport sponsors are required to produce the supporting when requested. This supporting documentation does not need to be in a specific format – choose what works for your airport (e.g., checklists, policy memos, handbooks, step-by-step procedures or lists,…). Some airports, by virtue of their size, number of staff, or airport services, may not have their own policies and procedures but may rely on their municipality's policies and procedures – this is acceptable providing the airport has a copy of these policies and procedures at the airport. There may be instances where an airport's policy or procedure is "N/A" (e.g., purchase or credit card usage and authorizations) – that's perfectly OK. There may be instances where an airport's policy or procedure could be used in more than one "process" in Section 1 of the certification – that's perfectly OK too.

Suggestions on Certification Components:

Procurement Process Statements

• Airports or their municipality may have a procurement manual that explains to airport/municipal staff and the public the expectations the airport/municipality have for acquiring goods and services. Rather than including individual people's names, include their position where requested.

Grants Oversight Process Statements

• Most of these are processes that the airport staff or their airport consultant might do relatively routinely, but FAA and NHDOT need to know that you have a written document(s) that explains these steps. This helps ensure that the airport does not miss a step, but also provides continuity if there are staff changes.

Disbursement Process Statements

• Only document those steps that the airport and/or their airport consultant would do for grant reimbursements and payments to vendors.

Business Continuity Process Statements

• Utilize an existing airport's or municipality's continuity plan. If no plan exists or its out of date, develop or update one that addresses the items identified in the certification, at a minimum.